Louisville's new defensive coordinator?

Mike Hughes

12/29/2007

Louisville's month-long search for a defensive coordinator to replace Mike Cassity could be over. ESPN's Joe Schad reported Saturday afternoon that the Cardinals will name Ron English as their new defensive coordinator. Is an announcement right around the corner?

Louisville's month-long search for a defensive coordinator to replace Mike Cassity could be over.

ESPN's Joe Schad reported Saturday afternoon that the Cardinals will name Ron English as their new defensive coordinator.

"I have not agreed to anything," English said during the Capital One Bowl press conference Saturday. "I'm fortunate because Louisville, they've been aggressive and what they've offered is a good offer."

Apparently, English prefers to wait until after Michigan finishes its season Tuesday against Florida in the Capital One Bowl before talking about his next destination.

"I'm going to talk about that after the football game," English said, adding that he was close to accepting Louisville's offer.

English served as the defensive coordinator at the University of Michigan the past two seasons but was released by new Wolverines head coach Rich Rodriguez.

Ron English.

A 15-year college coaching veteran, English is also considered an outstanding recruiter. The 39 year-old Pomona, California native has also served stints as an assistant coach at Arizona State, San Diego State and Northern Arizona.

In 2006, English's first as Michigan's defensive coordinator, the Wolverines boasted one of the top defensive units in the nation, ranking No. 1 nationally against the run. Michigan also ranked 10th in total defense and 15th in scoring defense in 2006.

This season, Michigan ranked in the Top 25 nationally in both total and scoring defense, allowing 330 yards and 20 points per game. Louisville is looking to improve a defense that ranked 93rd in scoring defense and 84th in total defense.

English served as the secondary coach at Michigan for three seasons before being elevated to defensive coordinator. While a secondary assistant, English tutored Ernest Shazor and Leon Hall, both Thorpe Award finalists. In three seasons, English's secondary picked off 36 passes, returning four for touchdowns.

ESPN also reported that Steve Kragthorpe will add former Duke head coach Ted Roof to his staff. Roof, who was fired last month after four seasons with the Blue Devils, went 6-45 during his tenure in Durham.

While it is uncertain what position Roof would coach, he is a former linebacker at Georgia Tech and also served as defensive coordinator at Georgia Tech before becoming the head coach at Duke.

University of Louisville officials did not confirm ESPN's report Saturday afternoon. "Coach has talked to a lot of guys about the (defensive coordinator) spot," said one UofL official. "Right now any announcement is premature."

The Detroit News reported in their Saturday online edition that Ron English confirmed that he has interviewed for the defensive coordinator position at Washington. English also interviewed for the head coaching positions at Arkansas and Michigan.